By: Davida Johnson
History B block
Head-Royce School
Flag of Nicaragua
Nicaragua takes its name after an indigenous Indian chief named Nicarao, who ruled a tribe that lived around modern-day Lake Nicaragua, in the 1400's and 1500's. Nicaragua was inhabited by many different native American tribes before Spain came and took over the region. Some tribes include the Garifuna Indians, the Mangue Indians, the Mayangna Indians, the Miskito Indians, the Rama Indians, the Subtiaba Indians, and the Ulwa Indians. Hernandez de Corbota, an explorer from Spain, founded the first two permanent settlements in the country, which included two main cities, Leon, and Granada. Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821, and was a part of the Mexican Empire. Nicaragua finally became an independent republic in 1838. Nicaragua has a population of 5,891,199 and a widely spread ethnic group, which composes of whites, latin americas, blacks, and indigenous indians. It is the biggest country in Central America, aproximently the size of New York State.
Government:
The Nicaraguan government is based on a constitutional democracy, with 4 different branches (executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral). The president of Nicaragua rules over the government on top of being head of state. The current president is Daniel Ortega, who is the 83rd president of the country. He previously served as the 79th president, and was re-elected January 10th, 2007. He was born November 11th, 1995 and his vice president is Jaime Morales Carazo.
Daniel Ortega, the Nicaraguan President
Jamie Morales Carazo, the Vice-President
Chief Nicarao:
A painting of Chief Nicarao
Nicarao was a chief of a powerful indigenous tribe when the spanish settlers arrived in present day Nicaragua. His name is a Nahuatl name, which is the language of the Aztecs. Another rumor that traces the roots back further is that the renowned chief took his name from his own people, who derived the name from the geography of the land. Nicaragua could possibly be a combination of "nic-atl-nahuac" which means "close to the water" in Arawak language.
Currency:
The Nicaraguan currency is the Cordoba, but the U.S. dollar is accepted virtually everywhere. The symbol for a Cordoba is usually the letter 'C' in front of the money sign and the amount of money. For example, C$100 would be one hundred Cordoba's. One U.S. dollar is worth C$22.05 in Nicaragua.
Tourism:
On top of Nicaragua being the SAFEST country in Central America, it is also one of the most beautiful, with the lake, and both the Atlantic and the Pacific ocean on either side. Lake Nicaragua is the biggest lake in Central America, and the only lake in the world with fresh water sharks, and a volcano in the center. The volcano is called Ometepe, and is also a very popular tourist attractions, with entertainment such as sand-boarding, which is like snowboarding but on a volcano.
Lake Nicaragua
Another great thing to visit in Nicaragua is the city of Granada, which is one of the oldest cities in all of the America's. It has many colorful buildings that are now turned into various hotels and many markets run by the local people.
The city of Grandada
The island of Ometepe is also a very popular place to go, sitting in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, and getting bigger with each eruption from its massive cone volcano hosts many wonders to those who enjoy a challenge and those who like to keep it peaceful and cool. You can climb the volcano, which is the most obvious wonder the place has to offer, but of course theres other things to do as well, such as ride horseback around the island, explore the untouched rainforest filled with monkey, deep, armadillo, and opossum. The island has a population of 35,000 people, who are mostly native. You reach the island by boat, and even though the waters are choppy, it is an amazing way to get your adrenaline pumping for the challenges and fascinations ahead!
Isla Ometepe (Ometepe Island)
Nicaragua's cuisine is especially exotic, with food from Mexico, Spain, South America, and every other Spanish speaking country all combined. The national dish is gallo pinto, which is rice and beans, but popular ingredients are yuca, pork, plantains, corn, beans, and a little bit of seafood. People call their style of cuisine "La comida Nica". But one of my personal favorite dishes would have to be the Pastel de Tres Leches, which translates into Cake of Three Milks.
Pastel de Tres Leches
It is in fact believed to have originated in Nicaragua. Martha Stewart even made it once, giving credit to the countries delicious delicacies! If you want her recipe, click here!
The pastry is basically soaked in three typed of milk, giving it a spongy, almost cheesecake like taste, and texture. No wonder its on top of the pastries all over Nicaragua!
One-Day Itinerary for visiting Nicaragua :
- Wake up from your amazing, exotic, beautiful, hotel in Granada, explore the city! Watch the cultural performers dance down the streets and check out the local souvenir shops
- Arrange a trip to Ometepe at around 2 in the afternoon, then head to the beach! Relax in the sun and watch the waves roll by, or maybe jump into the waves and surf at one of the best surfing areas in the world!
- Have lunch outside in the city of Managua, with all the bustling of the cars and pigeons flying around the town square. Take a look at all the old Spanish settlements and let history relive itself in your mind.
- Take a boat to the island of Ometepe. Don't let anything stop you from having fun! Do what your most comfortable with, which doesn't necessarily mean climbing the volcano. Explore the beaches and rain forests around and speak to local natives about there cultures and traditions!
- Come home and have a nice dinner at one of the lakeside restaurants. Maybe even have a glass of wine celebrating your amazing day! And if your feeling really happy, order a little Pastel de Tres Leche for dessert!
- Back to the hotel for now! Lay down and close your eyes, thinking about the wonderful, adventurous day you had today, and how amazing it'll be tomorrow, before you finally go to sleep.
Nicaragua:
By: Davida Johnson
History B block
Head-Royce School
Nicaragua takes its name after an indigenous Indian chief named Nicarao, who ruled a tribe that lived around modern-day Lake Nicaragua, in the 1400's and 1500's. Nicaragua was inhabited by many different native American tribes before Spain came and took over the region. Some tribes include the Garifuna Indians, the Mangue Indians, the Mayangna Indians, the Miskito Indians, the Rama Indians, the Subtiaba Indians, and the Ulwa Indians. Hernandez de Corbota, an explorer from Spain, founded the first two permanent settlements in the country, which included two main cities, Leon, and Granada. Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821, and was a part of the Mexican Empire. Nicaragua finally became an independent republic in 1838. Nicaragua has a population of 5,891,199 and a widely spread ethnic group, which composes of whites, latin americas, blacks, and indigenous indians. It is the biggest country in Central America, aproximently the size of New York State.
Government:
The Nicaraguan government is based on a constitutional democracy, with 4 different branches (executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral). The president of Nicaragua rules over the government on top of being head of state. The current president is Daniel Ortega, who is the 83rd president of the country. He previously served as the 79th president, and was re-elected January 10th, 2007. He was born November 11th, 1995 and his vice president is Jaime Morales Carazo.
Chief Nicarao:
Nicarao was a chief of a powerful indigenous tribe when the spanish settlers arrived in present day Nicaragua. His name is a Nahuatl name, which is the language of the Aztecs. Another rumor that traces the roots back further is that the renowned chief took his name from his own people, who derived the name from the geography of the land. Nicaragua could possibly be a combination of "nic-atl-nahuac" which means "close to the water" in Arawak language.
Currency:
The Nicaraguan currency is the Cordoba, but the U.S. dollar is accepted virtually everywhere. The symbol for a Cordoba is usually the letter 'C' in front of the money sign and the amount of money. For example, C$100 would be one hundred Cordoba's. One U.S. dollar is worth C$22.05 in Nicaragua.
Tourism:
On top of Nicaragua being the SAFEST country in Central America, it is also one of the most beautiful, with the lake, and both the Atlantic and the Pacific ocean on either side. Lake Nicaragua is the biggest lake in Central America, and the only lake in the world with fresh water sharks, and a volcano in the center. The volcano is called Ometepe, and is also a very popular tourist attractions, with entertainment such as sand-boarding, which is like snowboarding but on a volcano.
Another great thing to visit in Nicaragua is the city of Granada, which is one of the oldest cities in all of the America's. It has many colorful buildings that are now turned into various hotels and many markets run by the local people.
The island of Ometepe is also a very popular place to go, sitting in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, and getting bigger with each eruption from its massive cone volcano hosts many wonders to those who enjoy a challenge and those who like to keep it peaceful and cool. You can climb the volcano, which is the most obvious wonder the place has to offer, but of course theres other things to do as well, such as ride horseback around the island, explore the untouched rainforest filled with monkey, deep, armadillo, and opossum. The island has a population of 35,000 people, who are mostly native. You reach the island by boat, and even though the waters are choppy, it is an amazing way to get your adrenaline pumping for the challenges and fascinations ahead!
Nicaragua's cuisine is especially exotic, with food from Mexico, Spain, South America, and every other Spanish speaking country all combined. The national dish is gallo pinto, which is rice and beans, but popular ingredients are yuca, pork, plantains, corn, beans, and a little bit of seafood. People call their style of cuisine "La comida Nica". But one of my personal favorite dishes would have to be the Pastel de Tres Leches, which translates into Cake of Three Milks.
The pastry is basically soaked in three typed of milk, giving it a spongy, almost cheesecake like taste, and texture. No wonder its on top of the pastries all over Nicaragua!
One-Day Itinerary for visiting Nicaragua :
- Wake up from your amazing, exotic, beautiful, hotel in Granada, explore the city! Watch the cultural performers dance down the streets and check out the local souvenir shops
- Arrange a trip to Ometepe at around 2 in the afternoon, then head to the beach! Relax in the sun and watch the waves roll by, or maybe jump into the waves and surf at one of the best surfing areas in the world!
- Have lunch outside in the city of Managua, with all the bustling of the cars and pigeons flying around the town square. Take a look at all the old Spanish settlements and let history relive itself in your mind.
- Take a boat to the island of Ometepe. Don't let anything stop you from having fun! Do what your most comfortable with, which doesn't necessarily mean climbing the volcano. Explore the beaches and rain forests around and speak to local natives about there cultures and traditions!
- Come home and have a nice dinner at one of the lakeside restaurants. Maybe even have a glass of wine celebrating your amazing day! And if your feeling really happy, order a little Pastel de Tres Leche for dessert!
- Back to the hotel for now! Lay down and close your eyes, thinking about the wonderful, adventurous day you had today, and how amazing it'll be tomorrow, before you finally go to sleep.
References:
1) Background Note: Nicaragua (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1850.htm)
2) Government of Nicaragua (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Nicaragua)
3) Nicaragua - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua)
4) Nicaragua Indian Tribes and Languages (http://www.native-languages.org/nicaragua.htm)
5) Culture of Nicaragua (http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nicaragua.html)
6) Nicaragua - Money (http://vianica.com/nicaragua/6-money.html)
7) Visit Ometepe Island,Nicaragua (http://www.audleytravel.com/Destinations/Central-America/Nicaragua/Places-to-Go/Ometepe-Island.aspx)
8) Nicaragua : Cuisine and Recipes (http://www.whats4eats.com/desserts/pastel-de-tres-leches-recipe)
Picture References
1) Jaime Morales Carazo (http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS8957VzsHERxjW4hYd-k5TAsMlDiOjuS4GgyeRr5xrwuUuG9rRFA)
2) Daniel Ortega (http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrJjveQfMgSTFcFDKF4FtqGY98oC4G1Rg5PPA-8Q4E64eKcsxN)
3) Chief Nicarao (http://www.mrhalliday.com/2001/NorthwestNicaragua/CaciqueNicarao.jpg)
4) Cordoba's (http://vianica.com/images/banknotes/banknotes.jpg)
5) Lake Nicaragua (http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfGlfEGWjKj3zJb-uBUfUAHevI9Ok1Ie_mPJIZ-s43uIjW24BFyw)
6) Granda (http://www.nicaraguaspanishschools.net/images/2225829421_2e81dfb31a.jpg)
7) Pastel de Tres Leches (http://ocmexfood.com/images/tortillajos14.jpg)
Video and Slide-show Refrences
1) Youtube (http://youtube.com)